NBA Still A Vehicle For Social & Political Change – Curry

The reputation of the NBA as a politically outspoken organization has taken a hit in recent months.

This is due to the October incident involving Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey, who tweeted his support of the Hong Kong protests.

The quickly-deleted Tweet lead to apologies, mea culpas, the loss of Chinese partners and decreasing viewership numbers for the NBA.

The influence of China is not just over the NBA, either. English Premier League club Arsenal recently distance themselves from anti-China comments made by Mesut Ozil.

Want $250 to bet on the NBA?

Despite all this, Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry says that the NBA is still an important societal vehicle.

Stephen Curry says that international politics can make things “tricky”, but says that the league hasn’t softened.

“Guys in the league are championing so many issues, not only domestically but across the world,” Curry said.

“Basketball is a vehicle to help those conversations to start and to continue and hopefully make progress,” he added.

While league officials pandered to China in a big way, there was a common thread in the apologies. Apologies were made for the offence caused, but the league never backed down from freedom of speech and expression.

Warriors president and COO Rick Welts is quoted as saying that players or management won’t be banned from speaking out.

“I think that’s the one thing we try to do as NBA players: Be who we are, speak on what we know,” said Curry.

Read: Indiana Pacers Shock Lakers With Comeback Win

“Every time one of us goes to China and gets to celebrate the game, or goes to Japan and gets to celebrate the game, I think it does so much good and that’ll only continue, for sure.”

Stephen Curry has been out of action with a hand injury since October.